PTSD and Hospice Care

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

After a traumatic event, most people have painful memories. For many people, the effects of the event fade over time. But for others, the memories, thoughts and feelings don’t go away – even months or years after the event is over. Mental health experts are not sure why some people develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and others do not. If stress reactions do not improve over time and they disrupt everyday life, it is important to seek help to determine if PTSD is present.1

If you think you or someone you love suffers from PTSD, please take a few minutes to visit the website of The National Center for PTSD of the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) which has many resources regarding awareness, assessment, patient and family education and treatment.

PTSD in Hospice

Veterans in hospice care who have suffered from PTSD often have unique needs.

They often want to:

Make sure their story has been heard.

Put the traumatic events into some sort of perspective in their lives.

Deal with the effects that PTSD has had on their lives, such as mending relationships, giving and accepting closeness and affection, and getting end of life affairs in order.2

We Honor Veterans Program

Accredited Hospices of America is a proud member of We Honor Veterans, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) in collaboration with the VA. These three entities invite hospice organizations, such as Accredited Hospices of America, to partner with them to focus on compassionate and respectful care for America’s veterans.

This means that we work closely with the VA, as well as the families of veterans, to ensure veterans in our care receive the specialized assistance they may need. Our partnership with the VA enables us to assist veterans in accessing all the services and benefits to which they’re entitled. Additionally, our staff receives special training in meeting the unique psycho-social needs, including PTSD, and medical needs veterans may encounter.

We thank all veterans who have served and are honored to provide the specialized services they may need and the compassionate care they definitely deserve.